GPA partners with Second Harvest to serve Georgia communities

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America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia sets up its mobile food distribution by River Street in Savannah. The organization has distributed 3.7 million pounds of food since March 23. (Photo credit: Savannah Aerials)

Support facilitates meals for children, mobile food distribution

Georgia Ports has partnered with America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia during the month of May to facilitate food distributions in local communities throughout Coastal Georgia.

GPA’s support is part of a donation challenge during which an anonymous donor will match up to $150,000 in Second Harvest contributions. Second Harvest serves as a regional food bank, functioning as the food warehouse and distribution center to more than 300 non-profit organizations and churches in the area. GPA Chief Human Resources Officer Lise Altman said Second Harvest’s efforts coincide with GPA’s mission of caring for its neighbors.

“It’s important for Georgia Ports to invest in our communities as we all come together during this challenging time,” Altman said. “The incredible work of Second Harvest provides much-needed assistance to children, families, individuals and senior citizens in Coastal Georgia.”

Since March 23, Second Harvest has distributed 4 million pounds of food through its mobile food pantries and grab-and-go meals for school-aged children. Second Harvest has served more than 193,000 meals in 21 counties during the last two months. Staff members prepare 6,000 meals a day for the lunch and breakfast to-go distribution in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty and Tattnall counties. These meals follow a specific menu to ensure nutritional guidelines are met.

Second Harvest Chief Executive Mary Jane Crouch said the organization has seen a 75 percent increase for food assistance since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. Crouch said recent food shortages and increased unemployment have largely contributed to additional assistance requests.

Second Harvest staff and law enforcement officials have also stepped up to provide home meal deliveries. Crouch said some Coastal Georgia residents have donated all or part of their economic stimulus checks to assist with food purchases.

Second Harvest has temporarily stopped food donations from individuals to ensure the safety of products distributed.

“If food is one less thing our neighbors have to worry about during this time, then that’s what we aim to do,” Crouch said.